2001 Gevrey les Combottes
By Domaine Leroy
2001 Gevrey les Combottes from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France
The turn of the millennium gifted us with an array of remarkable vintages, and amidst this esteemed cohort, the 2001 Gevrey les Combottes from Domaine Leroy distinguishes itself with majestic poise. This specific plot within Gevrey-Chambertin, under the astute custodianship of Lalou Bize-Leroy, has always fascinated me. The 2001 vintage, in particular, encapsulates a year where Mother Nature exerted her influence with a restrained hand, allowing subtle articulation of terroir akin to an artisan's delicate brushstroke.
Season Of Nuance: A Vintage Sung Softly
The 2001 vintage in Burgundy was met with bated breath as it followed the extravagantly lauded ‘99 and ‘00 vintages. Climatic equilibrium throughout the growing season was a boon, yielding grapes that married maturity with acidity – the alchemy essential for exquisite Pinot Noir. What sets the 2001 Gevrey les Combottes apart is its symphonic blend of linearity and depth. The precision of Domaine Leroy's biodynamic practices magnified the vintage's characteristics to craft a wine that sings a ballad of dark cherries entwined with an earthy sotto voce and whispers of seasoned oak.
A Gastronome's Companion: Investment With Pleasure
In the cellars, Domaine Leroy's savoir-faire teased out fine-grained tannins and a supple texture in the 2001 Gevrey les Combottes that harmonise splendidly two decades on. With age, this wine unfurls layers of complexity that are riveting for both the connoisseur’s palate and the investor’s portfolio. Rare and resilient, its investment appeal is intertwined with its capacity to enchant at the dinner table.
In sum, this illustrious cuvée offers both a sense of history and promise; for while it stands proud among Domaine Leroy’s lineage of exceptional releases, it carries within its structure the potential for further grace as time marches on. Perceptive investors and discerning palates will recognise in the 2001 Gevrey les Combottes from Domaine Leroy a resolute expression of Burgundy – one that asserts its individuality among siblings with aplomb and finesse.
Current market price
£21,330.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
2133
Scores and tasting notes
Strawberries are interspersed with cherries and raspberries in the beguiling scents of the medium-bodied 2001 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Combottes. This deep, complex wine offers lush red berry and oak flavors in its silky-textured attack and a woody, structured finish. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2010. Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy liked both the 2000 and 2001 vintages, stating that she was “rather pleased with the 2001s as they will bring lots of joy to those who drink them young” and that the 2000s “are candied fruit, reduction of fruit, the essence of fruit.” Many Burgundians chose to bottle their 2001 early in order to “trap” the fruit in the bottle, but Bize-Leroy beat them all to the punch, having completed the bottling process by early September, 2002. Typically an early bottler, Mme. Bize-Leroy felt that the 2001s would lose their fruit to either oxidation or the required sulfuring if left in the barrel for a longer elevage. Overall, Domaine Leroy’s 2001s are a success, though many were found to reveal stemmy, woody tannin in their finishes. If this characteristic melts away quickly, my scores on those wines will appear overly conservative. Importer: Martine’s Wines, San Raphael, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
Pierre Rovani - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2003